This article is free to all readers because it includes information important to public safety and health in our community.
A group of Cole County residents who said they are concerned for public health and the local economy are circulating a petition calling on the Cole County Commission to issue a countywide mandate requiring masks be properly worn in all places of public accommodation as the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Gov. Mike Parson said last month he would not issue a statewide mask mandate but would support the decisions of local governments to establish more stringent standards than the state's public health warning.
Missouri's public health warning states: "If we do not slow the spread of the virus, we risk having our health care systems overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. This poses a significant risk not only to those suffering from COVID-19, our first responders, and those working in our health care systems, but to anyone requiring health care support."
"Though the state's public health warning is strongly worded, it has no teeth," lead petition organizer Sue Gibson said. "While it recognizes that 'we do not need to lockdown our communities if people do the right things to fight the spread of the virus,' it stops short of taking any action to protect the economy and the public health."
Cole County falls within the state's top "extreme risk" category of three categories designating counties' status when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on seven-day test positivity and seven-day case rates.
Cole County's current seven-day positivity rate is 25.3 percent with 370 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the last seven days, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
The guidance released by the Parson administration advises a county at extreme risk should limit business occupancy to promote social distancing; limit gatherings beyond normal business activities, religious services, school and school activities, and family gatherings to 10 people or less; and strongly advise masks be worn in all offices and businesses where social distancing is not possible.
An advisory issued Nov. 12 by the Cole County Commission and endorsed by the Jefferson City Council asked residents to do six things:
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Keep physical distance from others outside of your household.
- Limit gatherings to a number that physical distancing can occur. Avoid gatherings where physical distancing can't be maintained.
- Wear a mask if you can't maintain physical distance.
- Encourage telecommuting and physical distancing within office buildings.
- Offer low-contact shopping methods, including curbside and delivery, and increase distance between seating in restaurants.
Despite the petition, Cole County commissioners don't seem inclined to issue a mask mandate.
"In most of the county, people are already naturally socially distant," Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman said Monday. "The kids already wear mask at schools, and churches are socially distancing and/or wearing masks. We have more cases in (Jefferson) City than in the county. I think the advisory is adequate."
A majority of Jefferson City Council members told the News Tribune late last month that they did not currently support creating a citywide mask mandate.
"Social distancing is more important, and I still don't know how effective mandates are," said Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Hoelscher, who himself has recovered from COVID-19. "Other places that have done this are also closing down schools and businesses at the same time, so I don't know if masks alone are the answer. If you are going to be around people and can't distance, then I understand wearing masks, especially if it's the elderly or those with underlying conditions."
The petition went live Monday morning, and more than 70 people had signed it as of Monday afternoon.
"I don't know what a magic number or issue would be to make me change my mind, but it would have to be something drastic," Hoelscher added. "It still comes down to personal responsibility and people making their own decision."
The petition organizers noted, "Efforts taken to date by state and county officials urging personal responsibility for mask-wearing have not been sufficient to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in Cole County."
The Cole County Health Department has reported 5,639 test-confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, including 31 county residents who died as a result of the virus. The county Health Department no longer publicly lists the number of cases considered active or in isolation after shifting to a new approach to contact tracing where those who receive a positive test result are asked to immediately inform their close contacts directly.
"Right now, I haven't changed my mind on a mandate," Western District Commissioner Kris Scheperle said. "There is so much different information out there about what is the best solution. I believe if you are socially distant then you don't need to wear a mask. If there is dramatic increase to where the hospitals are overrun, then we need to look at it, but at this point, a mask mandate wouldn't change a lot of what people are going to do. They will wear a mask or they won't."
Capital Region Medical Center and St. Mary's Hospital officials have said in recent weeks, while they have been able to treat the increased volume of COVID-19 patients, their resources are being strained and could reach a breaking point if safety measures aren't followed.
Among those who signed the petition was Jefferson City resident Susan Cook-Williams.
"I think we all need to do whatever it takes to protect our neighbors," Cook-Williams said. "I haven't been in a grocery store for several months but shop via curbside service, and when I look in the parking lots at the people going in and out, most are wearing masks, but some aren't. We have to do something to get this under control."
Also signing the petition was Jefferson City resident Tony Smith, who said: "We're one of the highest growing areas in the state. My wife and I have been careful for the last several months. If we go out, we never leave without masks. I don't want to be around people without a mask because sometimes it is hard to social distance. We were in Colorado where there is a mask mandate, and I was pleased to see how much compliance there was."
"I signed because 'personal choice' is contributing to the alarming continued and growing rate of infection," Jefferson City resident Suzanne Luther said.
Gibson said she isn't sure how long the petition will remain online - accessible at tinyurl.com/MaskUpColeCo - however, she said she wants to get it to the County Commission soon for their consideration.
"Both Jefferson City hospitals are stressed and overwhelmed, and local businesses have had to close for cleaning after exposure to clientele who later tested positive for COVID-19," Gibson said. "It doesn't have to be this way. Our local economy and the public health will both benefit from a mask mandate."